Think before you flush

It's a shocking number, but did you know that around 1,000 homes and 6,000 gardens are affected by flooding each year? That's just in the North West.

Millions of pounds are spent on cleaning drains and sewers right across the UK because of items that shouldn't be in them. Wet wipes, cotton wool, nappies, cotton buds and dental floss are just some of the culprits.

As much as we live in a 'disposable age', it's vital that you think before you flush.

Things like wipes and nappies don't just disappear down the u-bend and dissolve - they clump together and cause havoc in the sewers. All-too-often we see the misery caused to people when blocked sewers have caused their homes and gardens to flood.

On top of that, many of these items end up in our rivers and on our beaches, which has far-reaching impacts on nature and the environment.

It may take a little getting used to, but thinking about what you flush each time will have a fantastic ripple effect - pardon the pun! Put a bin in the bathroom so nobody's tempted to flush and bear in mind the three ps rule: pee, poo and (toilet) paper, only.

If you're still unsure about what to flush, watch the film below for guidance.

Let’s wipe it out!

‘Bin it don’t flush it’ - follow Jacob’s journey of discovery to see just what happens when wet wipes are flushed away.

You don’t want to flush that down your loo

Watch our fun video to see exactly what you should - and definitely shouldn't - put down the loo. You might be surprised!

Wipe away blockage misery

Millions of baby wipes, make-up wipes and cotton wool are flushed down loos every week, creating blockage misery for families up and down the North West and spilling sewage into gardens and homes. Mum-of-two Sarah shows you just what happens with wipes